Interviews med Rix Yap

I hold a prestigious Bachelor's degree from USM. My design journey evolved from working on government flats to crafting luxury interiors in Singapore. I specialize in rebuilding and Additions & Alterations (A&A) for landed houses, transforming them into modern, functional, and visually stunning residences.

Coming from a middle-class family with tailor parents, I developed an early appreciation for art. My parents proudly displayed my drawings, fostering my talent. Initially, I aspired to be a fashion designer, but my country lacked suitable universities for that field. Fortunately, there was a local university offering an interior design course, which I pursued with passion and dedication.

Our boutique studio excels in crafting unique, non-ordinary yet functional designs and spaces. We are committed to exploring innovative and enduring designs that challenge conventional thinking and enhance user experiences.

For me, design is about creating something unique and functional, not mass-produced, that brings tangible benefits to the user. It should provide a new or fresh experience that engages the senses in ways the user has never encountered before, ensuring they feel comfortable and truly enjoy the space.

I enjoy designing residential buildings, public spaces, and commercial spaces that involve architectural elements. I believe that the interior is influenced by the exterior, and both must align to achieve a significant impact that benefits users.

My favorite design project so far is a lighting shop that has won several international awards. This project stands out to me because the client embraced nearly 80% of my design vision. The landscaping and choice of materials allowed this project to truly shine, with all design elements seamlessly coming together. It serves as a prime example of cohesive interior and exterior design.

The first thing I designed for my company was the logo. I believe this logo represents the path I wish to pursue: simple yet meaningful, embodying all the aspects I aim to achieve.

My favorite materials are natural wood and stones. I believe these materials, which have been used since the Stone Age era, have a timeless quality that will endure forever.

When client trusted you 90%

I primarily focus on the needs of the user and how the design benefits them.

When I design I feel sense happiness and sometimes selflessly

Sense of successful and happiness

When the design truly appreciated by the users and others designers

I primarily focus on the needs of the user and how the design benefits them, ensuring it aligns with the user's experiences and maintains balance and harmony with the surroundings.

The responsibility of a designer is to enhance both the aesthetics and practicality of a space, ensuring that users can enjoy a more lasting and quality design.

Design is evolving rapidly, increasingly influenced by AI and various tools. However, the future of design hinges on top-tier designers whose knowledge surpasses AI capabilities. They create emotional value and innovative designs that have never been seen before, challenging AI's predictive abilities.

My last exhibition was 10 years ago during my university days. I hope to showcase my designs again within the next 5 years.

My design creativity comes from daily observations of nature and my feelings toward spaces and objects in public, as well as studying online design platforms.

My design style revolves around natural elements like ventilation, wind, light, movement, shadow, greenery, and natural materials such as wood and stone. A key aspect is integrating the exterior environment into the interior, as I believe living in natural settings promotes better health compared to enclosed spaces.

Living in Southeast Asia, I find the multicultural environment allows me to incorporate natural elements into my designs, creating a tropical and cozy atmosphere. I feel inspired and happy with these designs. However, I worry they may not resonate as well in cooler and less vibrant environments.

I often prioritize others' needs and place myself in a secondary position to enable other companies to showcase their true potential.

In working with a designer, trust is paramount. It's essential to find someone with whom you have chemistry, who can effectively address your issues, listen attentively to your needs, and passionately dedicate themselves to designing and resolving your challenges.

My design process always begins with listening to and understanding the client's issues and aspirations for improvement. I then explore creative solutions through design research, putting myself in their shoes to deeply understand and resolve their challenges.

My ditoo speaker, my laptop, my mouse, my cute cement figure and toy figures

I start my day by nourishing myself with good food and coffee, followed by exploring different design online platforms. I plan my schedule for drawings and attend site or client meetings. Back at the office, I immerse myself in designing and drawing. After another meal, I relax by watching dramas or jogging before ending the day with sleep.

Don't blindly follow the advice of older designers; explore and develop your own ideas. However, it's important to avoid overconfidence, as some advice from experienced designers can be invaluable.

Positives: Being different from others can make your career admirable to some people.

Negatives: However, you may also encounter challenges such as dealing with unpaid balances and disrespect from those who undervalue design.

Always evolve your design through stages. There's no perfect design, but by progressing step by step, you can achieve the most suitable design for each stage of development.

Critical thinking and fast problem-solving skills are essential in design.

Auto Cad, sketch up and Vray. Pencil and paper

I tend to deeply immerse myself in my design work, which can affect my time management. However, I am committed to setting timelines for each project to ensure efficient progress.

No fix time. Can be a day , a year or forever

How to lower the cost

When I was in a design builder company which forced my to design and built 2-3 story houses with my main cond.

Verde light, some high post manager or directors or some properties agents, lawyer, friends, influencers and etc

Commercial, more rooms to play

I am planning to pursue better projects, such as designing 2-3 story buildings and luxury brand stores, with the aim of elevating my name in the market.

I develop my design myself

Currently, I'm engaged in a fantastic residential project where the client has placed 90% trust in me, allowing full implementation of my design concepts and choice of materials. Additionally, I'm refurbishing a multi-function hall in a condo, aiming to significantly enhance its value through thoughtful redesign.

info@r-plus-studio.com

rix@r-plus-studio.com

Achieving a harmonious fusion of biophilic design and industrial aesthetics in the Eco-Luminance Oasis was both an exciting challenge and a delicate balancing act, especially within the regulatory framework of Singapore’s building codes.We began by establishing a core design concept, to reconnect city dwellers with nature, while embracing Singapore's forward looking and industrious spirit. The goal was to create a retail environment that felt like a living, breathing oasis amid the dense cityscape.To comply with Singapore’s Green Mark certification criteria, we strategically used reclaimed steel and exposed concrete finishes to represent industrial strength but softened them with biophilic elements such as natural wood paneling and vertical green walls.Further, to meet Singapore Civil Defense Force’s (SCDF) fire safety codes, we ensure materials selected are fire-rated and carefully treated to meet the stringent criteria. In accordance with Building and Construction Authority’s (BCA) regulations, spaces were designed adhering to minimum headroom and circulation clearance while integrating natural ventilation strategies. Where mechanical ventilation was necessary, we used systems rated for energy saving and low noise pollution, keeping in line with BCA and National Environmental Agency’s (NEA) guidelines.Throughout the process, we worked closely with certified green building consultants, SCDF officers, and qualified persons (QP) to ensure that the design didn’t just pass inspections, but actively enhanced the wellness and comfort of all users.

The seamless transition between the exterior and interior spaces was a deliberate move to blur the boundaries between nature and the built environment, which is the key design strategy for Eco-Luminance Oasis.Living in a high-density city like Singapore, people often crave moments of calm and connection to nature. We wanted the shop to feel like an urban sanctuary, where visitors could experience an immediate sense of relief and openness. The use of large window panes was inspired by traditional Japanese architecture, where shoji screens and open spaces create a constant visual and sensory connection with nature. We adapted this concept into a modern retail setting. Singapore's abundant natural light was another key factor. The large, glazed facades let daylight flood the interiors, reducing reliance on artificial lighting, an energy-efficient move in line with Green Mark’s guidelines.The large windows create visual continuity, offering uninterrupted views of lush greenery both inside and outside. This dissolves the hard edge typically found between urban exteriors and interior retail environments, making customers feel like they’re walking into a curated extension of the natural world, rather than an enclosed store.Clusters of bamboo are used to create natural thresholds, breaking up the space without solid partitions. This keeps the environment open and breathable but also helps define distinct zones for exploration and interaction.

The smart lighting integration in Eco-Luminance Oasis was a cornerstone of our sustainable design vision. We wanted the lighting system to do more than just illuminate, but to enhance the customer experience, respond intuitively to the environment, and minimize energy consumption without sacrificing aesthetic quality.We re-imagined how people experience indoor lighting by mimicking the natural progression of daylight to promote comfort and well-being. The goal was to create dynamic lighting that shifts in color temperature and intensity throughout the day, offering a subtle circadian rhythm alignment to make the space feel more alive and attuned to human natural cycles.In terms of automated lighting controls and energy-efficiency, we introduced a centralized smart control system using Building Management System (BMS) interfaces with the lighting to automate schedules, monitor energy usage, and allow staff to make real-time adjustments via a mobile app or control hub. The system collects data on energy consumption patterns, helping to fine-tune settings for maximum efficiency over time.

The Eco-Luminance Oasis was envisioned from the start as more than a retail space. We wanted it to be a multi-functional environment with the ability to transform into a showroom, a community hub, and a flexible event venue, all while reinforcing its core identity as a lighting-focused retail concept.Flexibility and zoning are the key considerations for the spatial planning. We adopted an open, fluid layout, with movable display modules that can be reconfigured to create open areas for workshops, talks, or product launches.Zones were defined with natural transitions such as clusters of bamboo, lighting feature installations, or material shifts in the flooringto subtly guide movement without fixed partitions.Every transformation, whether for retail or events, is rooted in eco-conscious design language with natural materials, greenery, and sustainable systems remaining as a constant backdrop.Even during events, we maintain product presence subtly, key lighting fixtures remain active, or integrated into displays, reinforcing the brand’s expertise in lighting solutions without feeling like a traditional showroom.

The water feature wasn’t just an aesthetic choice, it was deeply intentional, both in its sensory impact and its role in reinforcing the biophilic design ethos.The gentle sound of rain is something almost every Singaporean has a nostalgic connection to, whether it’s the rhythmic patter during monsoon season or the calming stillness that comes after a downpour. We wanted to evoke that emotional memory, grounding visitors in a familiar sensory landscape that brings comfort and serenity.Biophilic design is a multi-sensory experience. The soft sound of rain hitting the bricks adds an acoustic layer that promotes relaxation and mental restoration, which are key goals in biophilic spaces.

The material palette in Eco-Luminance Oasis was meticulously curated to create a textural dialogue that not only reinforces our sustainability ethos but also delivers a multi-sensory, immersive aesthetic experience. We wanted materials that speak to each other, balancing warmth and rawness, nature and industry, while maintaining a minimal environmental footprint.At the core of the design was the desire to merge the organic with the urban, crafting a space that’s both inviting and honest. The material selections were pivotal in expressing this balance, natural wood with dark lacquer brings in warmth, tactility, and a sense of crafted elegance, while cement screeding provides an industrial, raw honesty, grounding the space and adding textural contrast.The sourcing of the wood is from FSC-certified sources, ensuring responsible forestry practices while the dark lacquer was a low-VOC, water-based finish, chosen to minimize off-gassing and promote better indoor air quality. To top it off, low-carbon cement mixtures, incorporating recycled aggregates helps to reduce the material’s embodied energy and carbon footprint.

The decision to incorporate mobile furniture in Eco-Luminance Oasis was a pivotal move that evolved quite organically as we deepened our understanding of the space’s potential as both a retail showroom and a community-centric, multi-purpose venue. What started as a simple desire for flexibility turned into a core design strategy, shaping how the space functions, feels, and engages users.From the outset, the vision was to create an urban oasis, a space that wasn’t just about selling products, but about experiencing light and design. With this, we imagined hosting product showcases, community workshops, talks, and even pop-up events. This meant the layout couldn’t be static.Early sketches focused on open-plan flexibility, but we soon realized that for true adaptability, fixed furniture wouldn’t be enough. We needed elements that could move and transform.It became clear that versatility wasn’t just a nice-to-have feature, it was essential to delivering a space that could continuously evolve with different needs.The mobility and flexibility allows for the optimization for circulation and accessibility. During high-traffic moments, such as product launches or design talks, furniture can be scaled back to open up clear circulation routes and maximize capacity, in line with universal design and fire safety codes. Conversely, for intimate events, the space can be compacted, creating cozy zones with comfortable seating arrangements that feel personal and inviting.

The Eco-Luminance Oasis was purposefully designed to be a beacon of calm and sustainability within an otherwise gritty, utilitarian industrial estate. Crafting a façade that stood out as an architectural statement, while also respecting and harmonizing with its context, was a delicate yet rewarding challenge.The industrial estate’s visual language is dominated by raw concrete, corrugated metal, and functional geometries. Rather than ignoring, we embraced it, taking cues from the material honesty and clean structural lines prevalent in the area.Our aim wasn’t to create contrast for contrast’s sake, but to reinterpret industrial materials through a biophilic lens, so the building still felt anchored to its site.The vision was to soften the harshness of the surrounding built environment, offering a sanctuary-like presence, but not something that felt out of place. We needed to balance boldness with belonging.

The central large potted plant in Eco-Luminance Oasis was always envisioned as more than just décor, it’s a symbolic anchor, an experiential centerpiece, and a strategic design move that plays a crucial role in shaping spatial flow and customer engagement.We wanted the central potted plant to act as a living, breathing tribute to nature, reinforcing our biophilic concept right at the heart of the shop. It’s a visual manifesto, an immediate, tangible reminder that nature belongs even in industrial settings.Positioned at the central nexus of the showroom, the plant acts as an organic landmark, orienting visitors as they navigate the space.It’s strategically located where sightlines converge, giving visitors an intuitive sense of arrival and orientation, helping them decide where to go next.The central large potted plant also offers abreak in pace, it allows visitors to breathe, absorb the sensory environment, and reset before continuing their exploration.

The success of the project highlights a growing demand for retail spaces that nurture well-being, foster mental restoration, and create sensory-rich experiences, beyond pure transactional interactions.We envision future retail spaces in Singapore integrating nature-centric elements, green facades, living walls, water features, and natural materials, not just as aesthetic choices, but as strategic design interventions to improve user experience, enhance productivity, and boost emotional engagement